Virgil Abloh’s New Air Force 1 Collaboration Is Coming Out With a Major Change

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, WWD may receive an affiliate commission.

It’s official: Virgil Abloh’s Nike Air Force 1 will be released soon in a new Sesame style, but it’s coming with a first-of-its-kind change.

Nike’s e-commerce product images of the Virgil Abloh x Nike Air Force 1 Sesame have surfaced, revealing a major change to the anticipated sneaker. No longer will the collaboration bear the branding of Off-White, the influential fashion brand founded by Abloh in 2012. Previous iterations of the Abloh-designed Air Force 1 featured Off-White’s logo printed on the insole and also referenced the brand on the printed text at the medial side of the shoe. 

On the latest version of the shoe, traces of Off-White are nowhere to be found. Instead, the insole features a traditional Nike Air logo while the medial sections reads “Nike, Inc. c/o Virgil Abloh” in place of the “Off-White for Nike” text seen on Abloh’s other Air Force 1s. This is reportedly the way that all future collaborations between Abloh and Nike will be presented; not as Off-White x Nike, but as Virgil Abloh x Nike.

The alteration follows Off-White’s 2024 change in ownership. In September, LVMH sold Off-White to Bluestar Alliance, a management company which owns and operates brands ranging from Hurley to Palm Angels. 

“Abloh’s ability to fuse street culture with high fashion has laid a powerful foundation that aligns with our vision of fostering innovation while embracing diversity,” Joey Gabbay, chief executive officer of Bluestar Alliance, said following the buyout. “The acquisition of Off-White, and the opportunity to provide strategic investment and build upon our global network of resources will allow for the continuation of the cultural and creative momentum that Virgil ignited, one that Bluestar Alliance is committed to carrying forward.”

Along with the forthcoming Air Force 1 Sesame, another long-anticipated collaboration, a white-based version of Abloh’s coveted Air Jordan 1, is reportedly in the works. The original version of the Air Jordan 1, fashioned in a Chicago Bulls-inspired red, black and white colorway, was named Shoe of the Year at the 2017 FNAAs.

Specific release details have not yet been confirmed, but these latest images confirm the next installment of the Virgil Abloh x Nike partnership is finally moving forward. The Virgil Abloh x Nike Air Force 1 Sesame is expected to be released before the end of the year for a retail price of $150. The collaboration’s style code is FD6900-200.

Shop More Nike Air Force 1 Shoes